Me: Watching an IY movie marathon spurred the idea for this story.

Disclaimer: "InuYasha" is property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise, Viz Media, and all those other people who bring this series to us!

Story 36: Hearts and Arrows

It was a sort of game to her, imagining herself as Cupid. The winged boy inspired romantic notions to entertain her thoughts in conjunction with her need for archery. In contrast to these fanciful ideas however, the girl needed to be serious when it came to putting her skills to use in battle.

Lately she had been practicing her aim, using the convenience of trees as targets. Every so often at least one of her companions would come by to keep her company, or watch for any progress.

"I think you're getting better."

Kagome narrowed her eyes after the arrow which had flown into the woods beyond. She was sure that comment was meant as comfort since her arrows no longer had an affinity for the branches; considering what just happened however, it sounded very sarcastic to her ears. Shaking her head with a sigh, Kagome had a feeling she would make a poor Cupid indeed.

She looked at the girl sitting off to the side, a girl far more skilled with weapons than she was. It wasn't simply her boomerang of bone the girl equipped, but blades and various small things which she kept hidden within her taiji-ya uniform. When she thought about it, Kagome really was amazed with her proficiency.

Curious, she tilted her head and asked, "Sango-chan, have you ever used a bow and arrow before?"

"A little, when I was younger."

The reply heightened Kagome's interest, resulting in an excited thought. "Do you think you can show me?"

"Hm? Why not ask Kaede to?"

This wasn't the answer Kagome was hoping for, and she felt a little dispirited. "You're right…" She turned away to gaze forlornly in the distance. "Someone like you probably doesn't want to deal with a klutz like me…"

"Huh?" Sango blinked at her bewilderedly. Kagome usually didn't talk about herself that way. She saw the schoolgirl put a hand to her cheek and sigh, her shoulders sagging as she did so. Feeling perfectly manipulated, Sango let out a sigh of her own before saying, "Okay, I get it…" Instantly Kagome spun about with a satisfied grin on her face. Sango had to repress another exasperated sigh from escaping. "Okay, shoot another arrow so I can check your form."

Kagome did as she was told, taking careful aim and releasing the arrow just shy of hitting the tree trunk.

Nodding, Sango said, "Your arms shift slightly when releasing the arrow. It's causing your aim to be off."

"Oh, okay." Kagome tried again, focused on keeping her arms steady. When she released, the twang of the string caused a wobble, but the arrow hit the trunk. "A… alright!" She pumped her arms, elated that Sango's advice had produced some improvement.

"Congratulations, Kagome-chan."

Kagome looked to see Sango smiling at her, and she beamed. "Hey, Sango-chan, can you shoot one?"

"Eh? Well…"

"Please?" Now that the idea was in her head Kagome wouldn't let it go. "I'd like to see how you look when you do."

Though a bit hesitant at first, Sango figured it might help Kagome's own skills. "Okay, but keep in mind it's been a while since I've done it." She got up and took the bow from Kagome, along with an arrow.

Kagome stood back and observed as Sango loaded the bow. When she brought it up to aim, the younger girl's eyes widened. She had never seen Sango use a bow and arrow before, and seeing them in her hands now excited her. Sango looked just as comfortable holding them as with Hiraikotsu. True and steady, with a look of concentration, Sango let go of the arrow so it struck the middle of the tree with a sharp thump.

Kagome's lips parted slightly in awe. Her gaze shifted to Sango, who appeared just as surprised with the result. "A… amazing, Sango-chan!"

"Um, I'm sure that was just a lucky shot."

"It doesn't matter if it was, you looked cool."

"… Cool?"

She smiled at Sango's unfamiliarity with the word. "You looked really impressive."

The compliment was a flustering one for the taiji-ya, and her cheeks embarrassedly pinked. How she was able to impress Kagome with her impromptu stunt of archery was puzzling. She mumbled some thanks and handed Kagome back the bow, instructing her to shoot again.

Now that she knew how to improve her aim, Kagome examined the tree for a target. She found a knot on the trunk above the spot where Sango had connected, and decided to aim for that. After telling Sango she would strike that spot, Kagome released an arrow… and fell short.

"Uh… guess I got over-excited." Kagome nervously laughed. "It's a little hard for me to keep my arm up when shooting higher." She picked up another arrow and held it against the bow.

"It's the same as before," Sango noted, walking around behind Kagome. She reached an arm out to support Kagome's bow arm from underneath and said, "Just keep it steady."

It was odd, having Sango stand so close to her. Just as when she had seen Sango with the bow and arrow, Kagome felt a peculiar awe overtake her; and her touch, the words uttered close to her ear, made her shiver.

"Kagome-chan, hold still."

"I-I'm trying!" Kagome bravely tried to keep her composure, but now that she was aware of this strangeness, it continued to nettle her mind.

Sango lifted her free hand to rest against Kagome's drawing hand. It startled Kagome and acted like a trigger, causing her to shake and free the arrow so it shot off wildly into the forest.

Now standing away from her after the shock of Kagome's action, Sango stared at the girl. "Kagome-chan, what happened?"

Kagome bit back an instinctive reply of, 'You happened.' Instead she lamely answered, "Sorry, I think I'm getting tired now."

This seemed to be a reasonable enough answer for Sango, and she suggested they return to the village. After agreeing and some persuasion, Kagome told Sango to go on ahead while she collected the arrows.

She decided to leave the ones she shot into the woods and walked up the tree she had been practicing on. As she yanked out the arrow she had shot, Kagome thought how it wasn't appropriate to think of herself as Cupid. Gazing at Sango's arrow protruding from the middle of the trunk, Kagome realized something:

'I think Cupid hit me when I wasn't looking.'

Me: I know Kagome isn't that bad at archery… but she could still use some practice, heh.